Brake mechanism



Feb. 21, 1933.

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I l I l l I I I l l l l J. w WHITE 1,898,108

BRAKE MECHANI SM Filed Feb. l, 1927 JOHN WILLIAM WHITE Patented Feb. 21, 1933 y UNITED STATES JOHN WILLIAH WHITE, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK kBRAKE MECHANISH Application ma February 1, 1927. serial 1ro. 165,195.

surface of the drum to check or retard the .i

rotation of the drum relative to the support.

The present invention is an improvement upon my prior Patent No. 1,461,715,`diering -herefrom in many details of construction and adjustment, as will be pointed out below. The primary object of this invention is to provide a brake having the minimum amount of travel, and in which the brake shoes engage maximum surface of the drum, the engagement of the shoes being the same, regasdlass of the direction of rotation of the drum.

A further object of this invention is to provide iiuid actuated means for operating the brake shoes, which means include a cylinder mounted within the brake drum, and having pistons which directly Contact with the brake levers by which the brake shoes are pivotally supported.

Other objects of this invention will appear from a consideration of the following speciiication, taken in connection with the drawing which forms a part thereof, and in which I Figure 1 is a sectional view of a brake mechanism taken substantially on the line 1-1 of Figure 2. Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1. A

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of Fivure 2; and

Fig. 5 is a detailed view, illustrating the manner of adjusting the location of the brake shoes with reference to the drum.

The mechanism embodying this invention includes a brake drum 10, secured to a wheel for rotation therewith, and having a peripheral flange 11, a support 12, suitably secured 50 to a stationary portion of the vehicle by ytive to the lever,

- is provided. The head of the screw contacts means of bolts (not shown) passed through holes 13 and braking mechanism, designated generally as 14. The braking mechanism comprises brake shoes 15, which are brought into contact when desired with the inner surface cf the ilange 11 of the brake drum l0, and brake levers 16, which are pivotally mounted i upon posts 17, projecting inwardl from the supporting plate 12. In order to orm a suit able base for each of the posts 17, a collar 18 60 is rigidly secured by rivets 19 to the outer face of the plate 12, in which collar the end of a. post 17 is lixed. Each ost 17 may include an integral ring 20, w ich rests in an opening 21 formed in the plate 12.

The brake levers 16 carry the shoes 15 and are preferably formed, as shown particularly in Figures 3 and 5, of sheet material bent to provide channels 22, into which at a certain point the brake shoes 15 project. At its lower end where it engages the pin 17 the brake lever 16 is strengthened by providing a boss 23. l

' Intermediate its length each wall 24 ofthe lever 16 is provided with a circular projection 25 having a hole 26 therein. The inner edge of each brake shoe is also provided in tei-mediate its length with an enlar ement 27, having a hole 28 therethrough. ach shoe is mounted upon its lever by means of a tube 29, which extends through the holes 26 in the lever and the hole 28 in theshoe. A suitable cotter pin 30, extending through one of the walls 24 fixes the tube against rotation rela- The brake shoes 15, however, will turn freely on the tubes 29 between the walls 24 and in order to limit this movementof the shoe with reference to the lever a cap screw 3l adjustably mounted in the lever with the inner edge4 of the shoe, and by turning the screw 31 in the lever 16, the desired limit of movement of the shoe with reference to the lever is obtained. j

Each shoe 15 is held yieldably in contact 95 with its screw 31 by a spring 32, which enf gages a hole 33 in the shoe 15, and a projection 34 from the lever 16. A spring' 35 engaging4 ears 36 on the levers 16 functions to draw the levers toward one another, causing them to by means of nuts 39.

In accordance with the general practice in brakes of this type, means are provided :.for sefparating the levers 16 against the tenslon o the spring 35. In the present instance such means comprise a cylinder 40, rigidly mounted upon the supporting plate 12, and provided with a pair of oppositely movin pistons 41, mounted to reciprocate in the cy mder 40.

Each piston 41 includes a stud 42, a base 70 and a flexible rin 71. Each stud 42 has at its 'inner end a pin 2, which enters a ocket 73 inthe base 70. The ends of the cy 'nder 40 are closed by caps 43, having integral sleeves 44, which function as guides for the studs 42. At the upper end of each lever 16 is mounted a button- 7 4, whichjnormally rests against the end of the sleeve 144, and against which bear the studs 42, when the pistons are forced apart.

The pistons.4lare caused to separate by fluid pressure in the center of the cylinder, which forces the pistons apart, and thus separates the levers against the tension of the srin 35.y Fluid is introduced into the c am r by means of a centrally bored pin 45, having a central passage 46 connected by a conduit 47, with an yopening 48 in the wall ofthe cylinder` 40. The pin includes a hexagonal portion 49, which rests in a suitably formed hole 50 in the supporting plate 12, thus insuring 'the coincidence of the conduit 47 and the opening 48.

The pin 45 is fixed in the cylinder 40 by means of a nut 52, and is secured to the plate 12 by means of a nut 53, bearing against a suitable washer'54. It will bel noted that the in 45 is thus not only fixed in the plate 12, but it also sup ort-s the c linder 40 in the drum on the p ate 12. round the outer end of the pin 45 is formed an annular groove connected tothe passage 46 by means of a conduit 56. A cap 57 having a central passage 58 is mounted upon the end .of the pin 45 with the passage 58 opening into the groove 55.

. 61 on the end of the The surface of the pin 45, surrounded by the cap, is slightly coned and the aperture 59 in the cap 1s similarly formed to insure a close contact; A. lock washer 60 and nut in 45 secure the ca in place. The provislon of the groove 5 of course, rmits the engagement of the cap with the pm in anydirection without aiecting the connection of the passage 58 with the assage 46 through the groove 55 and con uit 56. Into the outer end of the cap iiuid in the cylinder 40 is connected to the braking system. A bleed valve 63 is provided on the cap 57, by which any air imprisoned in 'the cylinder or the parts associated with it can escape.

When pressure is transmitted through the hose 62 the passage 58, the groove 55, the conduit 56, t e passage 46 and the conduit 47 to the cylinder 40, the pistons 41 are forced apart. The studs 42 are advanced out ofthe sleeves 44, and bearing against the buttons 74 swing the levers 16 on the posts 17, against the tension of the spring 35 and carr the brake shoes 15 against the flange 11. ince the brake shoes are carried on the levers intermediate the posts 17 and the buttons 74, the movement of the levers will cause the shoes to Contact initially at the toes 75 and finally at the heels 76. This final contact' results from the pivoting of the shoes on the toes 75 as ulcrums and the tensioning of the springs 32.

When the pressure is released the shoes will separate from the drum in,reverse order, i. e., the heels 76 rst being drawn back by the springs 32 and the toes 75 last.

Since the shoes are reversely located, this operation of the brake will be the same, re?

gardless of the direction of rotation of the drums. The construction and operation thus described will insure the contact of the en-' tire surface of the shoes with the drum.

The limitin studs 37 are adjusted as follows: The br. e'shoes 15 are first placed in the functioning position. The 1'iuts 39 are loosened and the studs 37 slid alon the slots 38 into contact with the levers 16. he studs 37 are then withdrawn the desired distance, as for example an eighth of an inch, and the nuts 39 are tightened, securing the studs in place. Since the nuts 39 are on the outside of the supporting plate 12 they are obviously accessible at all times and the adjustment can be made without dismounting or disassembling the brake.

In order to permit lubrication of the pivotally contacting surfaces at the osts 17 and tubes 29, conduits 77 are provide which ass through the posts 17 to the outer surflfices thereof, and thence, through the walls 24 of the levers 16, to the outer surfaces of the tubes 29. The conduits 77 terminate in pockets 78 in the posts 17, which pockets are internally threaded to permit the connection of a grease gun thereto. Like the adjustment just described the lubricating can be done from the outside of the brake drums.

The distance between the post 17 and the tube 29 is so much `less than the distance between the post 17 and the button 74, that a removes the necessity of a fine adjustment o5 57 is fixed a flexible hose 62, by which the of the levers and shoes.

It will be noted that the moving parts of the brake mechanism comprise, disregarding the springs 32 and 35, three units, to wit: two lever and brake shoe units, and a single unit consisting of the cylinder 40 and its associated elements, all of which are mounted upon the plate l2. Hence the assemblage of` the brake is very easily and quickly performed. After the units have been mounted on the plate 12 the screws 3l are set to adjust the relation of the shoes to the levers and the springs 32 and 35 are placed. The final adjustment of the levers and shoes relative to thebrake drum is made after the brake has been installed.

W'hile one embodiment only of this invention has been shown and described, applicant is not limited thereto, since it is obvious that other embodiments can be made without departing from the spiritand scope of this invention as set forth in the followino claims.

Ilaving thus set forth my invention, what I claim as new and for which I desire protection by Letters Patent is:

l. In a brake mechanism including a brake drum, brake levers each pivotally mounted at one end upon a support, brake shoes car` ried by said levers, a Spring engaging the free ends of the levers for holding the shoes normally out of contact with the drum, studs against which the free ends of the levers are held by said spring, said studs being mounted in slots in the support and accessible from outside the brake drums for adjustment in the slots.

2. In a brake mechanism including a hydraulic cylinder and a support therefor, a pin securing the cylinder to the support and having a passage therein through which fluid is conducted to said cylinder, the end of the pin outside the support including a tapered portion having an annular groove therein connected to the passage by a conduit and a duid supply hose terminating in a cap provided with an aperture to receive the tapered havin a backin plate, a braking element locate therewith, means normally urging the said element away from the drum, and means for limitin movement of the element by said means including a stop mounted for sliding movement in a slot formed in the backing plate, and clamping means for the stop positioned exteriorly of the drum so as to be readily accessible for' actuation.

5. In a brake mechanism, a brake drum having a backing plate, a braking element located within the drum for engagement therewith, hydraulically operated means for actuating the element to engage the same with the drum, said means including a fluid cylinder located within the brake drum and having a transverse opening therethrough, means for securing the fluid cylinder Within the drum including a bolt having a head portion envaging the inner side of the hydraulic cylinder and having a shank portion extending through the opening aforesaid therein and through an aligned opening in the backing plate for engaging a clamping nut, said bolt further having a passage therethrough communicating at the outer end with a source of fluid supply and at the inner end with the fluid cylinder. y

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

JOHN WILLIAM WHITE.

portion of the pin and through which fluid c is conducted from the hose to the groove, the conduit and the passage of the pin and thence to the cylinder.

3. In a brake mechanism, a brake drum having a backing plate, a plurality of brake shoes arranged within the drum for engagement therewith, means normally urging the shoes away from the drum, and means associated with each brake shoe for limiting movement of the latter by the means aforesaid and for independently adjusting each shoe, said means including stops slidably mounted within slots formed in the backing plate for movement relative to the shoes, and clamping means for securing the stops in their various adjusted positions accessible from a point exteriorly of the drum.

4. In a brake mechanism, a brake drum within t e drum for engagement 

